As always, we want to know what you think, who you're backing and how you think the week will pan out. You can leave comments the bottom of the page.

Joe Strange

Host commentator

Auto-update

15:54

Thanks for joining me today

That brings an end to our live coverage but Chris Waugh will be back tomorrow to bring you all the action from the final day of The Open.

It's Rory McIlroy's Claret Jug to lose after a round of 68, but Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia are sure to put him under pressure at Royal Liverpool on Sunday.

15:51

McIlroy flying high

A second eagle of the day for McIlroy, who takes advantage of his fine second shot to putt at the first attempt. It never looked in doubt to be honest - he's been brilliant on the back nine and deserves his six-shot lead.

15:48

Woods calls it a day

A par from Tiger at the last gives him a round of 73 and leaves him four over for the championship. His round was an improvement on yesterday, although it couldn't have gone an awful lot worse to be fair.

15:45

Special shot

Sweet strike from Rory, who smashes his second at the 18 straight at the flag. His ball rolls up to within eight feet of the hole and he'll have a fairly straightforward putt for a round of 68.

Johnson has left himself some work today after going right, while Francesco Molinari's fairway wood has given a decent chance to finish with a birdie.

15:41

Magnificent Rickie

Superb bunker shot from Fowler at 18, who sets himself up for a tap-in birdie to finish off a fine round of 68. That takes him back to within four shots of McIlroy, although he'll feel like he could've done more.

Garcia is an inch away from a birdie himself but his putt rolls just to the right of the hole. It's a par for the Spaniard and he'll find himself third going into the final day.

15:34

Big hitter: Dustin Johnson smashes his drive down the fairway at the 12th

15:31

Bogey for Rory

Told you it was a nasty up-and-down. McIlroy duffs his chip, which rolls back towards him, before almost putting straight in off the green with his fourth shot. His effort rolls just wide though and his lead is cut to five.

15:29

Triple for Tiger

Not that it has any effect on the top of the leaderboard, but Woods has just left the seventh green with a triple bogey. He's two over for the day, four over for the championship and any chance of a late Tiger charge has been put to bed.

15:25

Six-shot lead for McIlroy

A pair of bogeys for second-placed duo Garcia and Fowler at 17 does nothing for their hopes of overtaking McIlroy at the top. Our leader now has a six-shot lead but has left himself with a nasty up-and-down for a par on the same hole.

15:20

Rose reacts to his third round 69

Speaking to the BBC, Justin Rose said: 'Today turned into a nice day to play golf. It was my lowest round of the week but my 70 yesterday in the wind was better.

'I was on the slightly trickier side of the draw. I haven't had my run yet but hopefully things will click tomorrow.'

15:17

Get in the hole! Sergio Garcia celebrates his birdie at the 16th

15:14

Eaaaaagle!

And it's that man McIlroy again. This time he rolls in a lengthy putt at the 16th after reaching the green in two. He's now 15 under and has a five-shot lead over Fowler and Garcia. It only seems like 10 minutes ago that he was level with the American.

15:06

Another Fowler bogey

That blow-up icon might be a little harsh but Fowler's round is threatening to come off the rails here. He's just missed a tricky par putt at the par five 16th - where he'd managed birdies on Thursday and Friday - and is back to 10 under.

That's the same score as his playing partner Garcia, who found a birdie on the same hole to get within three of McIlroy. Looks like it'll be Sergio or Rickie playing with our leader tomorrow.

15:00

Speaking of Dubuisson...

The Frenchman has just finished his round with a birdie - his sixth of the day - to get to eight under and into a share of fourth. As it stands, Dubuisson will have registered the joint second best score of the day with a 68.

14:54

Sportsmail's Chris Cutmore reports from Royal Liverpool

Fascinating duel between Jimmy Walker and Victor Dubuisson, not just to get in contention for the Claret Jug but also ahead of a potential Ryder Cup duel at Gleneagles. Both look nailed on to make the teams and good weeks here are only helping their causes.

The Frenchman is edging the battle with the big-hitting American though. Europe 1 USA 0.

Impressive: Frenchman Victor Dubuisson has caught the eye on day three at Hoylake

14:52

Around the course

Focus is fully on Rory and Rickie at the moment, but there's plenty been plenty of other good scores out on the links at Royal Liverpool today.

Marc Leishman managed a round of 70 to get to five under, Edoardo Molinari shot a 68 to get to -7 and Branden Grace managed a 69 to leave himself well placed on Sunday.

14:47

Sportsmail's Mike Dickson reports from Royal Liverpool

So far the celebrity count at the Open has been relatively disappointing, limited mainly to the soccer-ocracy such as David Moyes.

Reports that George Clooney was in town appear to have been fanciful but there does appear to be some authenticity to sightings of film star Samuel L Jackson around the Royal Liverpool.

14:45

Boooom!

A wonderful putt from McIlroy at 14 quickly turns his one shot lead into a two shot advantage as he makes birdie from 12 feet. With Fowler missing a birdie chance at 15, Rory looks in pole position to retain the lead heading into Sunday.

14:41

Up and down: McIlroy chips onto the 13th green as visitors to Hoylake look on

14:38

Rose rounds things off

Back-to-back birdies for Rose on 17 and 18 completes his best round of the week. A 69 for the Englishman moves him to five under and makes a Sunday charge a more feasible possibility.

14:36

Fowler drops a shot

McIlroy is back into the outright lead after an uncharacteristic bogey from Fowler at the 14th. A dodgy tee shot always meant it was going to be tough to come away with a par, although his fourth shot came within a centimetre of dropping into the cup.

14:32

An apology to Matteo

I'd pretty much counted Manassero out of the running earlier but the brilliant young Italian has just finished his round with successive birdies to get to six under and into a share of seventh. Maybe he read this live blog and realised I'd backed him. Or maybe not.

14:29

Brilliant up-and-down from McIlroy

Nice recovery from Rory at the 13th. He chipped out of the rough with a delicate touch and then held his nerve to hole an eight-footer. With Fowler struggling on the hole ahead, that could be vital.

14:26

McDowell reacts to his third round 68

Speaking to the BBC after shooting 68 on Saturday, Graeme McDowell said: 'When we started off it was pretty nasty. It's a tough start to this course. The back nine was really kind to me yesterday and thankfully I made some good swings coming down the stretch.

'Conditions are as good as they've been all day. The greens are quite soft. I'm too far back (to win) unless it really blows hard tomorrow.'

14:19

And we have co-leaders...

McIlroy can only manage a bogey on the 12th after that wayward tee shot meant his second shot was a difficult one from the rough. He's back to 12 under - where he started the day - and has company in the shape of the red hot Fowler.

The Northern Irishman's tee shot at the 13th is also an ugly one and he'll have a tough up-and-down from the rough if he wants to make par.

Three birdies in a row for second-placed Fowler now as he takes just a single putt on the 12th green. His approach play and putting has been superb on on the back nine so far and he's back to within a shot of McIlroy.

14:02

Rory responds

That's more like it, Rory. McIlroy restores his two-shot advantage with an eight-foot putt for birdie at the 11th. His tee shot on the 12th goes right and ends up in the rough, but it's not clear what kind of lie he has yet.

13:59

Well played, Dazza

Darren Clarke finishes off his third round withfour consecutive pars but that doesn't take the shine off a superb 67 from the former Open champion. He's five under for the championship and will be in with a shout tomorrow.

13:54

What did I say about Fowler?

That's right, I said he was looking most likely to challenge Rory. He's proving me correct after rolling in a 25-footer at the 11th for a second consecutive birdie. McIlroy's lead is down to just a single shot and Rickie has another excellent birdie opportunity on the 12th.

Charge! Rickie Fowler has reduced Rory McIlroy's lead to just one shot

13:51

Around the course

Taking our eye off the very top of the leaderboard for a second and there's plenty of interesting action going on elsewhere.

Tiger Woods is now under par after a birdie at the first, as is Donald after three birdies during his front nine.

Francesco Molinari is still struggling and is four over for his round. Brother Edoardo is having a much better day and is currently six under after a birdie at 15.

13:44

Fowler gets one back

Finally someone gets to within two of McIlroy as Fowler birdies the par five 10th. The young American currently looks the most well equipped to seriously challenge our leader, especially after giving himself another birdie chance at 11.

13:40

Sportsmail's Mike Dickson reports from Royal Liverpool

Been out walking with Tiger Woods, who probably needed stinking weather conditions to have much chance of making an impact on the leaderboard. In fact he has yet to even get his umbrella out, even in the odd heavy shower.

The Welsh hills across the Dee Estuary are now clearly visible, which suggests that the threat of any seriously bad weather has probably passed.

13:37

A quiet day for....

... Adam Scott. The world No 1 is level par for the day through 13 and is yet to make a dent in McIlroy's advantage. Expected a bit more from the Aussie today.

Staying put: Adam Scott has been unable to improve on his score of three under

13:31

Furyk and Dubuisson push again

Birdies for Furyk and Dubuisson at the 11th and 12th respectively move them both to eight under and into third place. The pair are just a shot behind Garcia and Fowler, who are currently negotiating the 10th.

13:25

Johnson's struggles contine

That's back-to-back-to-back bogeys for Johnson now after he misses his eight foot par putt at the ninth. He's gone from being within two of McIlroy to six shots off the lead in record time. Ugly.

13:22

Up and out: Tiger Woods takes plenty of sand as he plays out of a bunker

13:19

McIlroy and Johnson both wayward off the tee

No sign of a safe finish to his front nine for McIlroy, who has just blasted his tee shot way left, striking a camera rig in the process. He should have an OK shot into the green, though.

Johnson smashed his drive well right and into the crowd, although it didn't appear to strike anyone with force. The two balls must be at least 50 yards apart.

13:15

61st time lucky for Garcia?

Back-to-back birdies for Garcia after a brilliant approach shot at nine left him with a straightforward putt for a two. He famously once said that he might not be capable of winning a Major, but that doesn't look true on this evidence.

13:12

Double trouble for Dustin

Johnson rolls his par putt at eight past the hole and that's two bogeys in a row for the American now. After making birdie at the first, he'll be hugely disappointed with how is round is progressing. He's back to seven under and is now in a tie for fifth.

13:10

GMac moving up

As well as Manassero, I also had a few quid on Graeme McDowell. The Northern Irishman is repaying my faith on the back nine and has just birdied the 15th to get to four under for the Championship. Nice one, GMac.

13:01

Relief for Rory

A huge pressure putt at the seventh for McIlroy after a poor tee shot left him scrambling for par. Our leader had a 15-footer to negotiate for his four and he powered the ball into the back of the cup. His advantage is back to three shots following a bogey for Fowler at the same hole a few moments ago.

Not such good news for Johnson, who can only manage bogey. He's back to being four shots off the leader.

12:58

Sublime from Sergio

Shot of the day contender from Garcia at the eighth. The Spaniard pulled out a mid-iron and went straight at the flag, sending his ball to within a couple of feet of the hole. Certain birdie for Sergio, there.

12:52

Lining it up: Jimmy Walker eyes a putt during a wet third round at Hoylake

12:48

Howell leading the way for England

You've got to scroll down the leaderboard a little bit to find the first Englishman but David Howell is enjoying his Saturday immensely so far. The 39-year-old is three under for the day after making birdie at the 10th and is currently in a tie for 14th.

Justin Rose is a shot further back at three under, with Chris Wood, Luke Donald and Paul Casey all at level par.

12:39

Tiger's challenge fading (again)

OK, so maybe calling it a challenge might be pushing it a bit, but Woods' birdie-birdie start promised some excitement. Unfortunately for Tiger it hasn't happened for him since then. He's just bogeyed the 15th after three consecutive pars and is back to one over - 13 shots behind our leader.

12:35

Sportsmail's Chris Cutmore isn't impressed with some of the spectators at Hoylake...

If like me you hate umbrellas and more accurately most of the people who wield them like deadly weapons with no regard for anyone else's skulls, Hoylake resembles some sort of hell today.

I've already today had my head shaved by a Mizuno, a St Andrews old course and an irn bru (but not a jumbo jet). I wonder if the last brolly menace was Scottish?

Well covered: Fans shelter under umbrellas as they watch Sergio Garcia in action

12:27

And he's got one!

First birdie of the day for McIlroy, who two putts at the par five fifth to get back to level par for the day and back to 12 under for the championship. Johnson could only manage a five, leaving Rory three shots clear of his playing partner.

But he only has two-shot lead overall after another birdie for Fowler at the sixth. The 25 year-old is already four under for the day and doesn't look like slowing down any time soon.

12:17

Tight at the top

It was only a matter of time until Johnson had some company at nine under and it's Fowler and Schwartzel who have joined him in a share of second place. The American needed just four blows at the par five fifth, while the former Masters champion one-putted at the sixth to shoot up another place.

12:13

Challenger: Rickie Fowler is attempting to claw back McIlroy's lead at the top

12:10

Rain, rain go away

I've just been watching the BBC's weather forecast with the sound off but there certainly seemed to be rain and lightning covering the Liverpool area on their fancy map of the UK.

There's a chance we could see a return to this morning's conditions over the next couple over hours, which might turn the two-tee decision into a masterstroke.

12:07

Super Schwartzel

Everyone thought the weather would ruin today's play but the softer greens seem to be helping some players find their form.

Schwartzel comes under that category, having just found his second birdie in a row at the par five fifth to get to get eight under. The South African is now in a tie for third with Fowler as he looks to win his second Major.

11:55

Around the course

Lots of birdies being made around Royal Liverpool today, with 2011 champion Darren Clarke having just grabbed his third in a row to get to three under for the championship.

Frenchman Victor Dubuisson has found back-to-back birdies at five and six to get to six under, while Scot Marc Warren has done the same at four and five to join him in a share of fifth.

Finding his form: Former Open champion Darren Clarke is enjoying a good round on day three

11:51

McIlroy maintains his lead

A pair of pars for McIlroy and Johnson at the third means the Northern Irishman's lead remains at two shots. Francesco Molinari is having a bit of a nightmare though, having just bogeyed his third consecutive hole. He's back to three under and is danger of slipping out of contention here.

11:46

Seven heaven

Another man joins the growing list of players in fourth place at seven under as Charl Schwartzel birdies the fourth to go one under for the day.

Elsehwere, Fowler has left himself an eight-foot putt at the fourth to get within two shots of the lead.

11:42

Tricky start: Leader Rory McIlroy chips out of a bunker on the first hole

11:38

Gentleman Jim goes fourth

Plenty of birdies out there today and Jim Furyk has just grabbed his second in a row at the fourth. The 44-year-old is now in outright fourth at seven under and will fancy his chances of improving on that before the day is out.

But as I type that, Walker rolls in another putt at the fifth to join him. The chasing pack sure are piling the pressure on our leader.

11:35

Nice save from Rory

After a misjudged first putt at the second, McIlroy does well to save par with a four-footer. His nearest challenger Johnson also makes par, but it's a second consecutive bogey from Francesco Molinari.

11:33

There's the old Tiger

Back-to-back birdies for Woods, who has got himself back to level par in record time. He can't come back from here, surely...

11:31

Sportsmail's Chris Cutmore reports on an odd Open Saturday at Hoylake

The more you think about it the weirder this all feels. It's 11.24 on Open Saturday and already the leaders are approaching the second green - in perfect scoring conditions too.

Meanwhile, those at the bottom of the leaderboard, including Tiger Woods, are at the same stage of their rounds on the opposite side of the course. It's the golfing equivalent of the Twilight Zone.

11:29

More movement at the top

If one man is taking advantage of the soft greens this morning, it's a certain Mr Fowler. Rickie has now birdied the second and is two under after two holes, leaving him eight under for the championship and just three shots off McIlroy. Sunday is shaping up nicely already.

Matt Lawton at Royal Liverpool adds: Fowler on fire here. Just sunk his second consecutive birdie putt - this time from around 25 feet - to move to right under. Garcia responds though, moving back to six under.

11:24

Birdie for Tiger

He missed a long eagle putt on the 10th but it's a birdie for Woods on his first hole of the day. Considering he managed just one all day yesterday, it's a move in the right direction for the three-time Open champion.

Respect: Tiger Woods shakes hands with fellow American Jordan Spieth on the 10th

11:22

Manassero on the move

What did I say about Manassero? After bogeying one and two, the Italian has just birdied four holes in a row to get back to four under. His Open hopes are alive again - and so are my chances of winning a few quid come Sunday.

11:20

Johnson proving his credentials

No problem for Johnson at the first, who takes advantage of a brilliant second shot with a short putt for birdie.

McIlroy rattles in his bogey putt but that's a two-shot swing on the first hole. Johnson moves to nine under and Rory is back to -11.

11:16

Rory in trouble at the first

McIlroy's second shot at the first found a greenside bunker and his third only just trickled onto the green. He's just missed his par putt to the right and still doesn't have a tap-in for a bogey.

Could be looking at a two-shot swing at the top, here.

11:13

Sportsmail's Chris Cutmore reports from Royal Liverpool

The rain has eased sufficiently for Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Francesco Molinari to wear short shirt sleeves as the leading group blast off the first tee. Poor old Francesco - playing alongside those two colossal hitters could be just the sort of thing that triggers a little complex.

There will be a few sweaty palms at the R&A so long as the weather holds out and the thunderstorms stay away. What a bold call to go for a two-tee start based on a weather forecast. We could be heading home before tea time!

11:12

Pressure: Leader Rory McIlroy prepares to begin his third round on the first tee

11:10

Walker and Garcia swap places

Garcia does only manage a bogey on the first, but there's no such trouble for Walker. The American completes back-to-back birdies at the third to move into a share of fourth.

He's only in fourth because Fowler has just moved into outright third with a birdie at the first. Perfect start for Rickie.

11:05

Sportsmail's Matt Lawton is following Sergio Garcia's progress early on

Garcia in trouble already here. Putting for bogey after finding two bunkers around the first green.

11:04

Huge cheer for Rory

Our leader gets the reception he deserves as he steps up to the first tee. He doesn't disappoint either, smashing driver down the right side of the fairway to set himself up for a simple approach to the green.

Big hitter Johnson also hit a straight drive down the middle, with Molinari's first shot of the day straying slightly left.

11:01

Sportsmail's Riath Al-Samarrai reports from Royal Liverpooil

Playing in the rain is never fun. Split tees for the first time in Open history meant, among other logistical challenges, they had to call in another starter.

Ivor Robson can't be in two places at once, of course. So Mike Stewart, who usually works on the European Tour, has been called in from holiday to stand and announce at the 10th. Lovely day for it...

10:59

Henrik Stenson is the only person without an umbrella as he tees off on the 10th

10:57

Here comes Tiger

He's almost certainly out of contention already, but Tiger Woods is preparing to tee off on the 10th. He's currently two over and only just made the cut with a birdie on the 18th yesterday evening.

Oh, and Rory's on the first tee too.

10:53

McIlroy and Johnson off in 10 minutes

With the two tee start in place, we've only got to wait 10 minutes before Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Francesco Molinari tee off at 11.01.

Ivor Robson has just introduced Sergio Garcia on the first tee, with the Spaniard one of six players in third at six under. His drive is wayward and ends up in the deepish rough on the left.

Matt Lawton adds:Sergio Garcia's group enjoying a nice break from the rain here on the first tee. Convinces Garcia to pull out the driver.

No such trouble for his playing partner Rickie Fowler, who booms one straight down the fairway with his orange driver. A similar result for Ryan Moore too, although he looks to be a bit further behind the colourful American.

10:45

More from Molinari

Edoardo Molinari has started in style this morning. The Italian has just birdied the second to add to his three at the first and is five under with 16 holes still to play. Look out, Francesco.

Another man level with Edoardo is Jimmy Walker. The American has also birdied the second and is creeping towards that big group in third at six under.

10:34

Sportmail's Mike Dickson reports on the state of the course at Hoylake

Rain was heavy when we arrived but has eased and there is no wind. Soft greens will possibly making this course easier than it has been all week.

10:32

Right, that's enough about the weather

There's actually some golf going on too. Justin Rose is among those out on the course and he's started off with a par on the first to stay at two under.

Better news for Edoardo Molinari fans, with the Italian managing a birdie at one to get himself back to four under - within two shots of his brother Francesco.

My betting interest Matteo Manassero clearly doesn't know that I've got money on him. He's bogeyed one and two and is now level par for the championship. Eurgh.

In the sand: Justin Rose chips out of a bunker on the second hole at Royal Liverpool

10:28

Chris Cutmore gives us another weather update from Hoylake

But just as a finish writing that last missive, the rain stops! The players remove their waterproof jackets and conditions look reasonable. Oh, but hang on, it's bucketing it down again.

10:26

Sportsmail's Chris Cutmore reports from a wet Royal Liverpool

It's utterly filthy here in Hoylake this morning. A five minute walk from car to course left this reporter drenched. But thousands of golf fans are still lining the streets around Royal Liverpool Golf Club attempting to get tickets to see their heroes in action.

The last time The Open endured weather conditions this wet was at Royal St George's in 2011, so all eyes will be on the likes of Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and the champion that year, Darren Clarke, to see if they can again win their battle against the elements and mount a serious challenge to Rory McIlroy.

10:21

Two tee start

The players went off in two groups at 9am this morning - one on the 1st and one on the 10th.

It's the first time a two tee start has been employed at The Open, but it seems like a sensible decision given today's wet weather.

Wet, wet, wet: Fans protect themselves from the rain with umbrellas as they arrive at Royal Liverpool